Portakabin enters Germany with Oecon acquisition

Portakabin has acquired Oecon Mobilraum GmbH, a manufacturer and distributor of modular buildings in Germany. The deal, for an undisclosed price, is part of Portakabin’s strategy to expand its mainland European business.

Oecon has been building and renting portable accommodation units for more than 20 years and is located in Bartholomä, east of Stuttgart in southern Germany. It sells in Germany and Austria from six locations.

The acquisition gives Portakabin a significant inroad into Germany to add to its existing sales and rental operations in France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Portakabin said Oecon would complement the current European operations and give routes to the German market for its modular buildings in the office, healthcare and education sectors.

Derek Carter, chief executive of Portakabin Group, said he was delighted with the acquisition; “Our plans for the future include further investment in the hire fleet, new market sectors and additional hire centres within Germany.

“The addition of Oecon to our French, Belgian and Dutch businesses will expand our European footprint and capability considerably and provide Oecon with the opportunity to grow within the German market and in new market sectors. We very much look forward to working with [Oecon managing director] Mr Full and all employees to realise Oecon’s full potential”.

Joachim Full, managing director of Oecon, said the financial strength and private ownership of Portakabin would ensure long term investment and security for the company and its employees; “We look forward to working with Portakabin as we expand Oecon and the influence of Portakabin within the German modular market”.

Portakabin is one Europe’s biggest portable accommodation players, second only to Algeco Scotsman in terms of revenue and ahead of French player Touax. Portakabin’s estimated rental revenues in 2012 were €180 million, compared to €820 million for Algeco Scotsman and €79 million for Touax. One of Oecon’s main competitors in Germany is ELA Container.